Definition from The Oxford University PressA mode of writing that exposes the failings of individuals, institutions, or societies to ridicule and scorn. Satire is often an incidental element in literary works that may not be wholly satirical, especially in comedy. Its tone may vary from tolerant amusement, as in the verse satires of the Roman poet Horace, to bitter indignation, as in the verse of Juvenal and the prose of Jonathan Swift (see Juvenalian). Various forms of literature may be satirical, from the plays of Ben Jonson or of Molière and the poetry of Chaucer or Byron to the prose writings of Rabelais and Voltaire. The models of Roman satire, especially the verse satires of Horace and Juvenal, inspired some important imitations by Boileau, Pope, and Johnson in the greatest period of satire—the 17th and 18th centuries—when writers could appeal to a shared sense of normal conduct from which vice and folly were seen to stray. In this classical tradition, an important form is ‘formal’ or ‘direct’ satire, in which the writer directly addresses the reader (or recipient of a verse letter) with satiric comment. The alternative form of ‘indirect’ satire usually found in plays and novels allows us to draw our own conclusions from the actions of the characters, as for example in the novels of Evelyn Waugh or Chinua Achebe. See also lampoon. For a fuller account, consult Arthur Pollard, Satire (1970).

Related Term: Parody.

Parody: In literature, a work in which the style of an author is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule.Parody and satire can be one and the same; however, they are differences. First, a parody imitates or mimics the personality, style, or work of its target. Satire does not necessarily involve mimicry. Second (and generally speaking), the intent of most parodies is purely for entertainment value. Example: Weird Al Yankovic's parodies of popular songs. On the other hand, satire is often used for rhetorical effect; that is, to change a person's mind or opinion.However, as in all things, the meaning of the word is that intended by the user. Therefore, some parodies are satires, and some satires are parodies. But not all parodies are satires, and not all satires are parodies. Got that?

ILLUSTRATIONSConsider what the following series of image are satirizing:

VIDEOS

SNL satires Campaign

Saturday Night Live NBC's Saturday Night Live is the current king of satire. Please visit this page to peruse video clips from recent shows. Especially recommend are the skits based on the 2008 Presidential Campaign.

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin "The Great Dictator" The Great Dictator, possibly the most well-known of Charlie Chaplin's films, was a timely satire on Nazisim and fascism in general, and Adolph Hitler in particular.

The OnionEntertaining. The Onion is a satirical weekly publication published 52 times a year on Thursdays. Although The Onion's articles are hilarious and provide excellent examples of satire, the site does post that the site " is not intended for readers under 18 years of age."

RELATED LINKS

Capital StepsSong Parodies. "For more than twenty-five years, the Capitol Steps have recorded dozens of albums and appeared on 'Good Morning America,' the 'Today Show,' '20/20,' 'Entertainment Tonight,' "Nightline,' CNN's "Inside Politics,' and dozens of times on National Public Radio's 'All Things Considered.'"

The Looking SpoonThis is an anti-liberal site that " believe[s] that visual communication is and always has been the most powerful way to relay ideas and get them through to people. So the main purpose of this site will be to collect, share, and blog about images, graphics and memes with a conservative/center-right point of view." I'm not saying that I do or do not support their views, but I do believe the site provides many good examples of satire.

Dumbetina, The Parody PlaceHumorous parodies that were created by Chris Condon as an "amusement [for his] co-workers and friends in the computer industry. People liked them and began giving [him] suggestions for other subjects to make fun of."

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